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WOONSOCKET, R.I. - A Boston-based hospital chain and a financially troubled medical center in Woonsocket have formally submitted an application to merge.

A Rhode Island Superior Court judge in June approved plans for Steward Health Care Systems to acquire Landmark Medical Center, and the two filed a formal application to the state on Friday.

The merger needs approval from the Rhode Island Department of Health and the state attorney general. Health department spokeswoman Annemarie Beardsworth said yesterday that officials have 30 days to determine whether the application is complete, then 180 days to approve or deny it.